Reser's Topeka plant at center of Listeria recall

TOPEKA, KAS. – Reser’s Fine Foods, Beaverton, Ore., has expanded the recall of products manufactured at its Topeka plant to include beef, chicken and ham processed between Sept. 5 and Oct. 9 due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. This is the third time the company has expanded its recall of products manufactured at the plant.

Reser’s Fine Foods first issued the recall on Oct. 22 and expanded it on Oct. 26. The first two recalls included such ready-to-eat products as potato and pasta salads as well as various dips, spreads and slaws.

Reser’s said in a statement that production at the plant was suspended on Oct. 25 and all equipment was dismantled in order to be sanitized. The company also has embarked on a retraining program for its employees, contactors and other personnel.

The Listeria problem was discovered through microbiological testing by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. A trace-back investigation and follow-up testing by the Food and Drug Administration at the plant determined there was potential cross-contamination of products with Listeria from product contact surfaces.

No reports of illnesses due to consumption of food products manufactured at the Topeka plant have been received. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service said the third expansion of the recall was initiated by Reser’s Fine Foods out of an abundance of caution.

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